Separated

Chapter 3

                 

Week 2

Mr. Faulkerson arrived earlier than Mrs. Faulkerson today, his anxiety obvious because of his constant pacing around the room. He constantly mutters under his breath that maybe she won't show up, maybe she gave up again - then he would check his phone and worry that maybe she is hurt.

He is appeased when she finally walks in the door apologizing for her tardiness because of the traffic. His eyes roam her entire being, checking if she is indeed alright.

We discuss today their private relationship, how they were able to go on dates even if they had been the most popular people of that time and then we discussed when they finally became a couple.

Alden shared, "It was in Italy, when we were shooting our first movie. We were lying on the grass, having some wine and we only had a couple of pillows and a blanket. Matagal ko nang sinasabi sa kanya na mahal ko siya but she was always quiet when I would tell her that. That night, we were talking about our future and what else we wanted out of our careers when she just suddenly said that she saw her future with me."

"Then I told you na love kita." Maine helped.

"Yes, first time."

"Mga ten times mo pa pinaulit because you didn't want to believe I said it."

They share a smile that tells me they are back in that moment. No one else exists in their world now, just them.

Week 4

Today, only Mr. Faulkerson comes in as agreed.

We talk about his childhood and then his early years in show business. Life is not easy for this man, but I sense no resentment for the decisions he had to make for his family. One could note though that there is a certain light in his eyes when he speaks of his wife.

"She's a surprise from God. One of the greatest gifts in my life." Alden says of Maine. "People talk about her walls and that I persevered to break them down, but no one ever talks about the boundaries I set up around me and how she got through all of them. I thought I would never trust anyone again after all the pain I've felt, but she came along and earned that trust."

I pointed out that perhaps he was overly glorifying her.

Alden chuckles. "Susmaryosep. Don't get me wrong. Nakakainis siya madalas. Sobrang matampuhin, tapos nako! Hindi yan masarap magluto. Ang labo di ba, Doc? Culinary Arts pero ang sama ng lasa ng ulam. Pero to be fair, masarap yan magluto ng pasta."

He explains that he is not blind to her faults. "Pero ganun yata talaga? Kahit na basang-basa ang floor ng bathroom after niya maligo, kahit na nasunog niya sa pag-plantsa yung isa kong expensive na shirt, kahit na napaka-asim niya gumawa ng beef steak... Siya pa din yung gusto ko makasama."

"And what if, after all this, she chooses to still be separated from you?"

His shoulders slumped. "Then, I have to accept that... Because at the end of the day, I want her to be happy."

I tell him that perhaps he is selling himself short, why continue loving a person who does not appreciate him and love him back – that perhaps his wife does not deserve his devotion. His eyes darken and asked me to stop.

"I understand what you're doing Doc. But please don't judge her like that. May I please also ask that when you speak to her, choose your words better. I don't want her to feel hurt."

Week 5

Mrs. Faulkerson looks uncomfortable coming in alone. Slowly, she shares her own childhood and her own feelings of neglect. She also shares of the time that she was bullied. Perhaps this is why she appreciates how protective her husband is of her.

Maine chuckles. "Everybody naman saw on TV how he is with me, but he's protective not only physically. He also doesn't want people talking bad about me, but he's too much of a gentleman to call someone out directly – but he has his own way. Bigla nalang mag-t-tweet yan ng saktong bible quote. He's really too kind. I often wonder kung bagay ba talaga kami kasi sobrang bait niya."

Her husband – there is a softness in her voice when she speaks of him.

"He's cooks so well! Kawawa nga kasi madalas uuwi siya after his tapings, wala pa kaming ulam kasi siya nga magaling magluto so I'll wait for him. Pag uwi niya, kanin lang ang ready. Haha!"

The doctor prodded. "What else? Tell me more about your husband."

"He is what people think he is. He's a dream guy. He used to leave love notes for me before he left in the morning. It was Tito Sen daw that gave him tips on it. Pero sobra siyang OC. Remember his book? When he said that if he has a flight the next morning, he'd sleep on the floor so that the bed won't be messed up? When we got married? Ganun pa din siya. He wanted me to sleep on the floor din!"

Mrs. Faulkerson laughs heartily at the memory.

"I miss him."

"So, why did you leave him?"

Maine visibly stiffens. "I think the hour is up na? I should go. Thank you, Doc."

Mrs. Faulkerson hurriedly leaves. She is not ready to share her story and I wonder if Mr. Faulkerson knows exactly why she left to begin with.